Eurostar to cut journey time by 40 minutes
The train journey between London and Paris will be cut by 40 minutes when a high-speed line is completed.
From this Autumn 20 minutes will be taken off the journey time between London Waterloo and Paris when the trains start running on a high-speed line through Kent. By 2007 the high-speed line will be extended to Kings Cross St Pancras and the journey time will drop another 20 minutes to two hours and 15 minutes. The trip to Brussels will also be reduced by the same amount.
The development will also see Eurostar services focussed on Kings Cross St Pancras, in the north of London, although trains will continue to run from Waterloo. The St Pancras services will stop at two additional stations – Ebbsfleet in Kent and Stratford in east London.
The train operator has shelved plans to create a luxurious premium coach on every train. In May Eurostar announced a redesign for the Premium First coach, along with an upgrade of the rest of the train, the staff uniforms, and the business lounges at rail stations. Consequently, the Premium First coaches will not get the leather swivel chairs, but will continue to offer superior menus and wine lists, private car transfers at either end, and exclusive lounge access.
The upgrade of the Standard and First coaches, which includes the installation of laptop power points and ergonomic seats will go ahead from Spring 2004, with the entire fleet of 27 trains completely renovated by 2007.
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